Hamilton explained how a message from five-year-old Harry Shaw, who is fighting against Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, gave him extra inspiration.

"Yesterday was a difficult day, but I arrived today and I got this great message from this young kid called Harry and he just became my spirit, that was my inspiration," said Hamilton, who beat Valtteri Bottas from second on the grid, when speaking to Sky Sports F1.

"When I woke up this morning, I was a bit lost and kind of 'how's today going to go?' and then I saw that message and I was like 'I see you Harry, I've got you'.

"I want to dedicate this one to Harry. If you're watching, sending you the love."

Hamilton added: "So many people sent such great messages out there and everybody loved the message he sent me. It means a lot to me. He could have chosen any other driver, of course, and on the most difficult of days to have sent a message like that is very humbling and much appreciated."

Hamilton praises 'world's best' MercedesAfter losing out to Bottas in Baku and then, resoundingly so, in Barcelona qualifying, Hamilton's Sunday response to his team-mate's strong form was awaited with interest.

And, as the five-time world champion has demonstrated on numerous occasions through his career, Hamilton rose to the challenge and claimed a commanding third win of 2019 after overtaking his team-mate at the start.

"We're so united and my job each weekend is just to come in and deliver for the team."

Mercedes' record-breaking start to the year has cranked the pressure up on Ferrari, who were also beaten by Red Bull on Sunday, and while Toto Wolff is not ruling out the Scuderia, he admits his team were extremely strong in Spain.

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"Both teams have the right resource and have tools that could easily make them rebound," said Wolff. "We've seen a weekend in Barcelona that was probably one of the strongest we've had in seven years."